Bobcat Offense Sputters in Red Zone

The Texas State Bobcat fought their way to the red zone four times but walked away with only one touchdown as they fell to the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, 23-17. 

“Disappointing.  Sick for the kids.  Sick for our students.  Sick for our alumni.  Just disappointed.  Got to go back to work,” said Texas State head  coach GJ Kinne.  “We were moving the ball, just kicking to many field goals. Got to put the ball in the endzone against a good team.”

The Bobcat’s lone TD came on a one-yard run by  Ismail Mahdi and was capped by a two-point conversion. 

Mahdi also committed a fumble after an 18-yard run late in the third quarter and pulled himself from the game. “I hate that for him.  It’s never about one play.  He’ll bounce back,” said Kinne. 

Texas State’s turnover woes continued late in the game when replacement quarterback RJ Martinez’s tipped pass was intercepted on Louisiana’s 32 yard line with 3:35 remaining in the game. 

The Rajin’ Cajuns ran-out the clock to secure the win. 

Martinez entered the game very late in the second quarter when starting quarterback Jordan McCloud was injured after taking a sack.  Kinne was optimistic about McCloud’s return, which looked to be an ankle injury. 

The loss put Texas State in a difficult situation in the Sun Belt Conference title race.  The Bobcats fell to fifth in the Western Conference with the loss, and must win two of the remaining four games become bowl-eligible. 

“We’re going to have to dig deep and know that we still have a lot to play for.  We got to go to work, handle our business and stay together.  We have a lot of pieces, a lot of quality game left against some really good opponents,” Kinne

Defense played well in the second half, holding Louisiana to three field goals.  However, the team struggled in the first half, trying to get off the field on third downs.  Mobile quarterbacks continue to hurt Texas State, with Louisiana’s Ben Wooldridge gaining 39 yards on eight scrambles.    

Kinne said it will be tough for his team to bounce back from a loss like this.  But he also said his team is pretty resilience.  “We’ve had some tough loses this year.  We haven’t felt like we can catch a break.”